Vital to any profession are the organizations it creates to further its standards, ethics, research, accreditation and governance. Faculty members belong to professional organizations, attend their conferences, present programs, and hold office. Students likewise are urged to join appropriate professional organizations and to attend and present programs at conferences. Full-time students are offered membership at half price in any professional organization. Students are encouraged to join but are not limited to the following organizations:
Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) is the international honor society for students, professional counselors and counselor educators established at Ohio University in 1985. Our mission is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership and excellence in counseling, and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of academic and clinical excellence in the profession of counseling.
The American Counseling is the national professional association for counselors. ACA has been instrumental in setting professional and ethical standards for the counseling profession. The association has made considerable strides in accreditation, licensure, and national certification. It also represents the interests of the profession before Congress and federal agencies. (ACA has 18 specialty divisions which provide you with information and resources specific to your needs and interests.)
The Illinois Counseling Association is the state branch of the national association. ICA is an educational, scientific, and professional organization whose members are dedicated to the enhancement of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of each individual, and thus to the service of society. Members subscribe to the Ethical Standards of the American Counseling Association. (ICA has 11 divisions which provide you with information and resources specific to your needs and interests.)
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 581-2400
che@eiu.edu
